ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves “Reforms in Exploration and Licensing Policy for enhancing domestic exploration and production of oil and gas”
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Policy framework on reforms in exploration and licensing sector for enhancing domestic exploration and production of oil and gas. The objective of the Policy is to attract new investment in Exploration and Production  Sector, intensification of exploration activities in hitherto unexplored areas and liberalizing the policy in producing basins. Considering stagnant/declining domestic production of oil and gas, rise in import dependence and decline in investment in E&P activities, the need to bring further policy reforms was felt.
The policy reforms focus on four major areas. Firstly, increasing exploration activities in unexpected areas. In basins where no commercial production is there, exploration blocks would be bid out exclusively on the basis of exploration work programme without any revenue or production share to Government. Royalty and statutory levies, however, will be paid by Contractor. For unallocated/unexplored areas of producing basins, the bidding will continue to be based on revenue sharing basis but more weightage to work programme. An upper ceiling on biddable revenue share has also been prescribed to prevent unviable bids. The policy also provides for shorter exploration period and fiscal incentive for commencement of early production. Contractor will have full marketing and pricing freedom for crude oil and natural gas to be sold at arm's length basis through transparent and competitive bidding process.
Secondly, to incentivize enhanced gas production, marketing and pricing freedom has been granted for those new gas discoveries whose Field Development Plan  is yet to be approved Fiscal incentive is also provided on additional gas production from domestic fields over and above normal production Thirdly, to enhance production from existing nomination fields of ONGC and OIL, enhanced production profile will be prepared by both PSUs. For production enhancement, bringing new technology, and capital, NOCs will be allowed to induct private sector partners Fourthly measures will be initiated for promoting ease of doing business through setting up coordination mechanism and simplification of approval of DGH, alternate dispute resolution mechanism etc.
Through this policy, a transparent, investor friendly and competitive policy framework is envisaged to accelerate exploration activities and provide impetus to expeditious production of oil and gas. The production enhancement scheme for nomination field of NOCs is likely to augment production by leveraging new technology, capital and management practices through private sector participation. With enhanced E&P activities, there would be macro-economic spin off benefits in terms of development of support services, employment generation, transfer of advanced technology etc. The enhanced production would help in reducing import dependence, improve energy security of country and save the precious foreign exchange on import bill.
Ministry of Defence
Change of Command at Air Force Station Faridabad
Group Captain Chandra Shekhar Bhatt took over the command of Air Force Station Faridabad from Group Captain Kaushik Das. The change of command took place in a Ceremonial parade at Station Parade ground.
Group Captain Bhatt was commissioned in the Logistics branch of IAF in 1990. During his career, the officer has held various appointments in Operational bases and Depots. For his distinguished service, the officer has been commended by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief  and Chief of the Air Staff .
AB/BBS
(Visitor Counter : 666
Ministry of Defence
Visit of Vice Chief of Air Staff to Forward Bases in Ladakh Region
Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora PVSM AVSM ADC on 07 Aug 2020 visited forward air bases in Ladakh sector of Western Air Command .
- Besides reviewing the operational preparedness at these bases, the VCAS interacted with air warriors of the combat units currently operating at these locations. He was briefed about the operational readiness of IAF assets deployed in the area. He urged all air warriors, NCs, DSC personnel and Civilian staff to continue discharging their duties with utmost sincerity and ensure a high state of combat readiness at all times.
During the visit he also flew Chinook and Light Combat Helicopter.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 147.48Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 18.12 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccinemanufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,47,48,80,635
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
18,12,70,076
More than 147.48 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 18.12 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Funding in Agricultural Research
The public money spent on agricultural research and education to total of agricultural gross domestic product in India was 0.67% during 2017-18 at current prices.
The public spending on agriculture is subject to availability of funding with the Government. The public expenditure on agricultural Research and Examination has increased over years in absolute terms. The public budget for agricultural research and education increased from Rs.115.44 billion in 2014-15 to Rs. 173.60 billion  in 2017-18.
To improve the quality of research in agriculture and build a storehouse of advancement of knowledge of the national importance, the Department invites and funds proposals on competitive basis at national level for Basic, Strategic and Frontier Application Research in Agriculture, where institutions under NARS, autonomous organization including IITs etc are participating. The Government has also been forward looking to improve existing infrastructure quality of agricultural research over years. Computerization and digitization of research system including administrative system along with equipment and chemicals are some examples of modernization of research system.
The Government of India has been collaborating with foreign research institutions/ universities in all fields of sciences including agriculture to improve quality of research outputs. The CGIAR institutions, FAO, UNIDO, OECD, West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program , Kansas State University, USA, Wenger-USA, African - Asian Rural Development Organization , SAARC Regional Networks, ICRISAT, CIMMYT, AIT, CIRAD, IDRC, IRRI, SAREC and USAID etc. from European, American, African and Other Asian Countries. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific , Asia Pacific Network for Testing Agricultural Machinery , and other international institutions are active partners of DARE/ICAR and have several memorandum of understanding  with foreign collaborators.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt unveils a bust of India’s first CDS late Gen Bipin Rawat in New Delhi to commemorate his first death anniversary
To commemorate the first death anniversary of India's first Chief of Defence Staff  General Bipin Rawat, his bust was unveiled by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt at United Service Institution of India  in New Delhi on December 10, 2022. During the ceremony, rich tributes were paid to General Rawat by the Raksha Rajya Mantri, current CDS General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and other serving and retired members of the military fraternity.
The Armed Forces and the USI have taken the initiative to institute a Chair of Excellence and a Memorial Lecture in the memory of General Bipin Rawat at the Institution. During his illustrious service, India’s first CDS was conferred with PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM and Padma Vibhushan . He was a visionary leader and a scholar soldier, known for his professionalism, principles, conviction and decisiveness.
During his four decades in service, General Rawat had gained vast operational experience in the full spectrum of warfare. As a brigadier, he led successful counter-terrorism operations in Sopore and successfully commanded a multinational brigade under United Nations in Democratic Republic of Congo. As a Major General, he had commanded an Infantry Division along the Line of Control in North Kashmir. As the Corps commander, he oversaw the conduct of hot pursuits of terror groups executed by Indian Army's Special Forces into Myanmar. This was the beginning of the transformation of India’s strategic culture from restraint to assertion. Later on, as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, he was instrumental in overseeing the surgical strikes against Pakistan-based terrorist groups in PoK.
As Chief of the Army Staff, General Rawat’s achievements were remarkable in all spheres of military and national security affairs. He followed the Indian Army’s motto of ‘Service before Self’ as a guiding principle throughout his Army career. As the first CDS, he rallied for organisational and structural reforms to integrate the Armed Forces. Path breaking transformational initiatives and civil-military synergy will remain his legacy.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs invites applications for filling up of three vacancies of the Members in National Consumer and Disputes Redressal Commission
Application invited only in online mode
The last date for submission of application is 30th November 2021
The Department of Consumer Affairs under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has invited applications to fill three existing vacancies for the post of Members in the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which is an Appellate Authority established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to hear various appeals under the Consumer Protection Act. The Commission is headquarteredin New Delhi
The Department of Consumer Affairs has invited application only through Online Mode.
The qualifications, eligibility, salary and other terms and conditions of the appointment of a candidate will be governed by the provisions of the Tribunal Reforms Act and the Tribunal  Rules, 2021.
The Search-Cum-Section Committee constituted under the Tribunal Reforms Act 2021 for recommending names for appointment to the said post shall scrutinise the applications with respect to suitability of application for the posts by giving due weightage to qualification and experience of candidates and shortlist candidates for conducting personal interaction. The final selection will be done on the basis of overall evaluation of candidates done by the Committee based on the qualification, experience and personal interaction.
Prescribed application form, the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Tribunals Rules, 2021 are also placed in the Ministry’s website “www.consumeraffairs.nic.in” for easy reference.
Applications of eligible and willing officers are requested online through URL: jagograhakjago.gov.in/ncdrcby 30th November 2021. Wherever applicable, a copy of the application submitted online may be submitted through proper channelalong-with prescribed documents to Director, Department of Consumer Affairs, Room No. 456-A, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhiby 30th November 2021.
Ministry of Finance
CBIC and Customs launches scheme to attract investment and support Make in India programme
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has launched a revamped and streamlined programme to attract investments into India and strengthen Make in India through manufacture and other operations under bond scheme, under Customs Act, 1962. Section 65 of the Customs Act, 1962 enables conduct of manufacture and other operations in a customs bonded warehouse.
The scheme has been modernized with clear and transparent procedures, simplified compliance requirements ICT-based documentation and account keeping, by issue of Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse  Regulations, 2019 and Circular 34/2019 both dated 01 October 2019. The main features of the scheme are as below -
- A single application cum approval form prescribed for uniformity of practice. The jurisdictional Commissioner of Customs will function as a single point of approval to set up and oversee the operations of such units.
- No geographical limitation on where such units can be set up.
- The unit can import goods  under a customs duty deferment program. The duties are fully remitted if the processed goods are exported.
- There will be no interest liability and units will benefit through improved liquidity.
- GST compliant goods can be procured from the domestic market for use in manufacture and other operations in a section 65 unit.
- A single digital account has been prescribed for ease of doing business and easy compliance.
- The scheme would also enable efficient capacity utilization, as there is no limit on quantum of clearances that can be exported or cleared to the domestic market.
CBIC has collaborated with Invest India to launch a dedicated microsite for providing information and promoting the scheme and for facilitation of investors. The site can be accessed at https://www.investindia.gov.in/bonded-manufacturing
The scheme is expected to play a critical role in promoting investments in India and in enhancing ease of doing business. It can enable the ‘Make in India’ programme, encourage exports, create hubs for electronics assembly, repair & refurbishment operations, inward and outward processing, facilitate global e-commerce hubs etc.
Ministry of Finance
RBI Retail Direct Scheme' and ‘Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021
The Reserve Bank of India  has launched the ‘RBI Retail Direct Scheme' and ‘Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021’. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Details along with salient features of the both the schemes are in ANNEXURE.
The Minister stated that the Government has not conducted any survey to find out the extent to which these schemes will be able to expand the scope of investment, access to capital markets, and security for investors but the Reserve Bank of India has designed the Scheme based on the feedback received from the market participants for simplifying the access to the G-Sec market by retail investors. The online portal developed for the Scheme is secure and user-friendly. The scheme expects to bring the government securities within easy reach of the general public by simplifying the investment process and widening the investor base, the Minister stated.
The Minister further stated that the RBI Retail Direct Scheme is expected to widen the investor base for the government securities which may result in increased demand for these securities leading to reduced cost of borrowing for the Government. Secondly, the increased retail participation in Indian government securities  will improve G-sec market liquidity which would facilitate further deepening of the Indian G-sec market. A well-developed G-sec market bodes well for the development of other segments of the Indian fixed income market.
Prime Minister's Office
Virtual Interaction between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of USA Joseph R. Biden
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with President of USA Joseph R. Biden on 11 April 2022. The two Leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest. The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
The Leaders’ virtual interaction will precede the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue which will be led by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Amendment to the Article 3 of the Agreement between India and Bhutan regarding MHEP in order to extend the loan repayment tenure by two years
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Amendment to the Article 3 of the Agreement between India and Bhutan regarding Mandechhu Hydro Electric Project  in order to extend the loan repayment tenure by two years extended by India to Bhutan, for implementation of the said Project in Bhutan from fifteen  to seventeen  years.
Benefits:
The proposal aims to secure:
- The First Year Tariff for import of power from the 720 MW MHEP in Bhutan at Indian Rupees 4.12 per unit.
- Certainty ot supply of surplus power to India by Bhutan from MHEP.
- Strengthening India-Bhutan economic relations and inter-linkages especially in the field of hydro-power co-operation and overall deepening of India-Bhutan relations.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of CoP28
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of CoP28 and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in Abu Dhabi on 15 July 2023.
The discussions took place on the forthcoming COP-28 of UNFCCC under UAE's Presidency. Dr. Jaber briefed Prime Minister on UAE's approach to this important meeting. Prime Minister conveyed India’s full support to UAE for its COP-28 Presidency. Prime Minister also highlighted India's efforts and initiatives to address climate change, including International SolarAlliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, International Year of Millets and Mission Lifestyle for Environment .
The discussions also covered energy cooperation between India and UAE.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Steps to Boost The Growth of Industries
Promotion of industries is a continuous and ongoing effort of the Government. Government has taken a number of steps, in addition to the ongoing schemes, to boost the growth of industries. The measures taken in a few important areas are highlighted below:
- Aatmanirbhar Package to boost Industrial growth has been announced by the Government for Rs. 20.97 lakh crore with bold reforms in a number of sectors. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme , having provision of Rs 3 lakh crores, is 100% credit guarantee and Collateral Free Automatic Loans for MSMEs. Financial support has been given to the stressed MSMEs with infusion of Rs.20,000 crore equity support through Subordinate Debt. Fund of Funds created to infuse equity worth Rs.50,000 crore in the MSME Sector by setting up Rs.10,000 crore Corpus Fund. Also, Government is ensuring timely payment to the MSMEs by instructing all Government of India and CPSEs to clear all receivables of MSMEs within 45 days. Procurement from domestic companies is being encouraged by disallowing global tender in government procurement tenders upto Rs 200 crores.
- Higher FDI cap has been allowed through automatic route in a number of sectors by streamlining and liberalising several sectors.Empowered Group of Secretaries  & Project Development Cells  have been set up in order to provide support and facilitation to investors for investing in India and to boost growth in key sectors of the economy.
- A centralized Investment Clearance Cell is being created, which would provide end-to-end facilitation support, including pre-investment advisory, information related to land banks and facilitating clearances at Central and State level.
- In order to realize the economies of scale, incentives are extended to units as per annual increases in their production/sale under Production Linked Incentive  scheme. PLI scheme has been announced for large scale electronics manufacturing , medical devices  and KSMs/ Drug Intermediates and APIs .
- In order to promote domestic manufacturing of sectors facing high imports or cheaper imports, incentives are provided through rationalization of Basic Customs Duty on identified products underPhased Manufacturing Programme . Presently, PMP is in operation for Cellular Mobile Handsets and e-vehicles.
- The Government has launched the National Infrastructure Pipeline  in December, 2019 to provide world-class infrastructure across the country and improve the quality of life for all citizens. As per Final Report submitted by the NIP Task Force, the projected total expenditure on infrastructure would be of Rs. 111 lakh crore during the period FY 2020-25.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the LokSabha today.